In the following days, Li Ming didn't bring up the matter of Fury handing over Alexander again.
With Alexander's soul already tucked away in Li Ming's shoulder bag, where could Fury possibly find him? Any substitute would just be a cheap knockoff.
But Coulson didn't know that. He was still worried that Li Ming might be brewing some grand scheme that could cause major trouble. Day in and day out, he hovered around Li Ming, offering endless small talk and concern. He even delegated the investigation of the hacker group to his team members, personally accompanying Li Ming as he built the Sail sailboat.
After some time, the keel of the sailboat was completed, and Coulson began to vaguely realize that Li Ming didn't seem particularly concerned about Alexander anymore.
Though he couldn't quite figure out what Li Ming was thinking, Coulson gradually started joining his team on missions again, albeit sporadically.
Of course, Coulson used the excuse that leaving Li Ming alone might lead to him stewing in boredom and invited him to participate in field operations.
Li Ming saw right through Coulson's intentions—he was just worried that Li Ming, with too much free time, might stir up trouble.
But the problem is, I, Li Ming, am not that kind of person. Really.
Still… secret agents, huh? In movies and TV shows, agents always have beautiful women and sports cars…
And so, driven by curiosity, Li Ming resolutely joined Coulson's team, tagging along with a lovestruck grin as he experienced the life of a secret agent.
However, the reality of agent life turned out to be quite different from what Li Ming had imagined. Staying up late staring at computer screens, endlessly reviewing street surveillance footage—that was one thing. But enduring such a monotonous routine without fine wine or beautiful company? Who could stand that?
At least there was a car—a globally unique, limited-edition one, no less. That would be his RV, with none other than Melinda, who could drive it like a fighter jet, behind the wheel.
To this day, Li Ming still couldn't figure out how his RV had been inexplicably commandeered by Coulson.
How had it suddenly become the team's temporary base?
Who had cast a spell on whom between him and Coulson?
After a few dull days with not a single member of the hacker group caught, Li Ming declared he was done: What's so fun about this tedious life? Might as well go home and work on the Sail.
But Coulson wasn't about to let Li Ming off so easily. On the surface, he agreed to let Li Ming return to his lakeside home. In reality, however, Coulson simply relocated the team's base to the lakeside cabin.
As Coulson put it, this was for the convenience of Li Ming, the "physician," to check on his health at any time.
In truth, Li Ming knew full well that Coulson wasn't just keeping an eye on him—he was also reluctant to give up the convenience of the Teleportation Door.
After all, it made travel incredibly easy.
For instance, during stakeout shifts, all they had to do was step through the Teleportation Door to go home, take a nice shower, and get some proper sleep.
In the past, Melinda and Ward wouldn't have dared dream of such luxury—getting a bite of bread during a mission was already a treat.
Of course, Coulson wouldn't overstay his welcome in the cabin indefinitely.For example, as Christmas approached, all members of Coulson's team packed their luggage and asked Li Ming to help transport them to a S.H.I.E.L.D.-affiliated airport. The reason went without saying—Fury's gift to Coulson, the airborne command center, had finally been fully renovated.
To this, Li Ming declared he was in a good mood today and planned to eat a few extra steamed buns: My RV won't have to endure Melinda's abuse anymore—it was practically falling apart!
When Coulson's team knocked on the RV door with their luggage, Li Ming waved his hand and opened a Teleportation Door, transporting everyone to the airport.
After boarding the airborne command center, Coulson, as the host, gave Li Ming a tour. When they reached a sealed room resembling an interrogation chamber, Coulson casually closed the door and gestured for Li Ming to take a seat.
Li Ming scratched his head, opened a Teleportation Door to fetch himself a beer from the RV—hinting that Coulson's room couldn't contain him—and asked, "Need something?"
Coulson sat upright in his chair, expression serious. "Happy was hospitalized after a bomb explosion."
Li Ming paused mid-sip. Though his relationship with Happy wasn't at the level of avenging him, they were close enough for casual concern.
Narrowing his eyes, Li Ming tilted his head. "Any idea who hurt Happy?"
Coulson nodded, pulling out his phone to play a recording. "After the incident, this 'Mandarin' claimed responsibility, and Stark retaliated with a public challenge."
Once Li Ming finished watching the Mandarin's video, Coulson continued, "Let's circle back to Happy. The day after he was hospitalized, Stark disregarded medical advice and took him back to Stark Tower. A few days later—today—Happy was seen walking around the tower completely unharmed."
As he spoke, Coulson produced Happy's medical report from the hospital. "Given the severity of Happy's injuries, his survival alone was a miracle." He paused, locking eyes with Li Ming. "We can't think of any medical technology capable of restoring a near-death man to full health in just days."
"Unless it was me," Li Ming interrupted, pointing at himself. "Are you guessing Stark asked for my help? Problem is, I've been busy building a sailboat—never left home, and Stark never called."
"We know," Coulson replied with a mild smile. "If you had healed Happy, Stark wouldn't have needed days of treatment at the tower. Happy would've been bouncing around the moment he left the hospital."
Li Ming froze, one hand rubbing his glass, the other stroking his chin. In a firm tone, he said, "You suspect Stark has deciphered the 'Healing Art' and replicated it through technology?"
Coulson didn't deny it, spreading his hands openly. "What else? We can't think of any other method that could restore Happy's injuries so quickly.""So what if they've replicated the Healing Art through research? My Healing Art has already upgraded to limb regeneration," Li Ming scoffed, looking completely indifferent.
But what was Coulson's purpose in talking to me? To confirm if I'd been helping Stark?
Wouldn't it be easier to just ask Stark directly?
Suddenly, Li Ming realized something and smirked at Coulson. "You wouldn't be trying to get Stark to hand over the Healing Art technology, would you?"
Coulson quickly shook his head, denying any intention of demanding it for free. "We're willing to purchase the technology—even just the finished equipment would suffice."
"Hah," Li Ming sneered, rolling his eyes. "I almost believed that."
If Coulson were the director of S.H.I.E.L.D., Stark might have sold him a device out of their personal friendship.
But the problem was, Fury was the one calling the shots at S.H.I.E.L.D., and Stark had plenty of grievances against him.
If Fury managed to buy so much as a screw from Stark, Li Ming swore he'd quit drinking on the spot.
Still, wasn't Stark's cheat code a bit too overpowered? In such a short time, he'd already developed a technological version of the "Healing Art"?
Li Ming scratched his head. Whatever—he'd already taught Stark the "Merlin Magic Ring." What was one more "Healing Art"?
"Alright, what's your real game here?" Li Ming pointed at the soundproof room. "I don't believe you picked this place just to chat about this."
"Uh—" Coulson forced an awkward smile. "I was hoping you could do me a favor—ask Stark to sell us a Healing Art device."
Li Ming was baffled. He couldn't follow Coulson's logic. Pointing at himself, he said, "Me? Buy the Healing Art? Stark's machine would take days to heal Happy, but I fixed him in seconds. You really think Stark wouldn't figure out it's actually you guys buying it?"
Coulson shrugged. "Figuring it out is one thing, but the chances of success are different if you're the one asking."
"So you want me to burn my favor for your benefit?" Li Ming tilted his head back, downing his drink with a look that said, "Go on, I'm just here for the entertainment."
"What do you want?" Coulson kept smiling, but his tone lacked confidence. "We won't let you help for free. Anything S.H.I.E.L.D. has is negotiable—or, like Stark, we could help you find magical artifacts like the 'Darkhold' in exchange for your help in purchasing the device."
"You even know the name 'Darkhold' now?" Li Ming shot Coulson a mocking glance. "A massive organization like S.H.I.E.L.D., spying on Happy? I wonder how he'll react when I tell him his every move is being watched. Will he feel honored, or will he sue you for violating his privacy?"Li Ming didn't believe for a second that Happy had been searching for the Darkhold while waving banners around—especially not in the U.S., where privacy rights were practically sacred.
If Stark got involved, well… S.H.I.E.L.D. could kiss its reputation goodbye. They'd be public enemy number one, the kind everyone loved to hate.
No one liked government agencies that went out of their way to spy on them.
Hell, Congress would probably find a way to kick S.H.I.E.L.D. out of the country.
Coulson quickly shook his head in denial. "We were just protecting Happy. Aside from safeguarding him during his search for the Darkhold, we had no intention of invading his privacy."
"Yeah, right," Li Ming scoffed. As he stood up and opened a Teleportation Door, he added before stepping through, "If you're the one asking, Stark might sell or lend you one. But if Fury's the one making the request? Save your breath."
With that, he closed the Teleportation Door behind him.
Standing by the lake, Li Ming thought for a moment before summoning his phone into his hand and dialing Stark's number.
A moment later, Jarvis's voice came through the receiver.
"Hello, Mr. Austin. How may I assist you?"
Li Ming grinned. "Heard Stark's been feeling down. Thought I'd check in—mostly to cheer myself up."
Jarvis seemed to short-circuit for a few seconds before replying, "Mr. Austin, I should inform you that Mr. Stark's anxiety is because of you."
Now it was Li Ming's turn to freeze. After a few seconds of stunned silence, he asked, "What do you mean? Did he imagine me as some villain out to kill him? Jarvis, no offense, but you should really read up on mental health. With Stark's psychological resilience, he's gonna drive himself into the ground sooner or later."